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US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to be “more responsible with respect to Lebanon” as concerns grow over Israel’s prolonged military campaign against Hezbollah.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump suggested that Israel’s actions in Lebanon were complicating broader diplomatic efforts in the region, including negotiations involving Iran.
“Without me there would be no Israel because no other president was willing to do what I did,” Trump said when asked whether he was frustrated with Netanyahu.
“I’ve had a great relationship with Bibi, but now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon,” he added, referring to the Israeli leader by his nickname.
Trump’s remarks mark the latest sign of tension between the two leaders, who have reportedly disagreed in recent months over Israel’s military operations against Hezbollah. Trump is said to believe the campaign has made it more difficult for Washington to secure a deal with Iran, which has insisted that any ceasefire arrangement should also address the situation in Lebanon.
The US president also criticised the scale and duration of Israel’s military operations.
“Israel is fighting Hezbollah too long and too many people are being killed. And you don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody,” Trump said.
Asked whether the agreement his administration reached with Tehran could survive a possible Israeli attack on Lebanon, Trump responded: “It can.”
Despite the criticism, Trump maintained that his relationship with Netanyahu remains strong.
Netanyahu has largely avoided public disagreement with Trump. Addressing the US-Iran agreement on Monday, the Israeli prime minister acknowledged differences between them while stressing his responsibility to safeguard Israel’s interests.
“There are cases in which President Trump and I do not see eye to eye. … I am responsible for Israel’s security interests, and it needs to be done wisely,” Netanyahu said.
